Student numbers down overall at public schools in area

The Charlevoix Emmet County Intermediate School District reported a loss of 150 students during the preliminary student count last month.

Officials blame the declining numbers on the state's economy, aging demographics and School of Choice.

Most schools in the district's preliminary count indicated a loss in students; as the number of students graduating outpaces kindergarten enrollment. Coupled with the lower student count is the potential reduction in student aid, further crippling school budgets.

"The trend is statewide and is certainly more evident in the UP and urban areas," Chip Hansen, the East Jordan superintendent said. "Generally speaking, Michigan is hemorrhaging kids and it's directly related to the economy."

As families move downstate or out-of-state for employment, some area superintendents see a link between enrollment trends and the economy.

According to the Northern Lakes Economic Alliance Regional Economic Perspective 2007 report, "Demographic changes in the region have translated into a school enrollment decline from 14,300 students in 2001, to 13,600 in 2006, a reduction of 5 percent. This enrollment drop has further eroded school revenues that rely on state per pupil funding," Rick Diebold, the deputy superintendent of the intermediate school district said in the report.

Another key ingredient in the enrollment equation is the 2000 census report. Charlene Schlueter, the associate director for information services at Northwest Michigan Council of Governments, said locally there is a higher baby boomer and senior citizen population. Schlueter said the school age population is declining.

Urman recognizes the decline in the schools head count, but on a positive note, close to 25 percent of the student body is School of Choice.

The School of Choice and the establishment of charter schools are another piece of the enrollment trend puzzle.

"People shop schools like parents shop for cars," Gary Stutzman, the school leader of Northwest Academy, a charter school in Charlevoix said. "The charter schools exist because people want that choice."

Critics of the charter school movement, see a direct link between charter schools and decreasing enrollment trends in public school districts. But proponents of the movement believe choice enhances education.

Stutzman said enrollment at Northwest has fluctuated. There was a boost when the school added more grades, but there was a decline of 10 students in the last year.

Concord Academy Boyne's numbers were fairly steady. The count was down one student, Barry Cole, the assistant administrator and business manager said.

Cole said its difficult to predict trends.

"Charter schools have less to do with student count and more to do with student choices," Cole said.

Concord Academy Petoskey's count included 331 students. Ben Jankens, the principal, said the charter school has a waiting list but no plans to expand.

In area public schools student loss was the norm. The Charlevoix school district reported the biggest drop of all those belonging to the intermediate school district. The district lost 44 students between 2007 and 2006.

Chet Janik, the Charlevoix superintendent said the decrease in enrollment is related to graduation rates outpacing kindergarten enrollment. Currently there are 121 seniors and 78 kindergartners. Janik plans to address these trends by forming a taskforce.

In Petoskey the district saw a loss of 17 students.

The preliminary student count report included some boosts in enrollment. In East Jordan, Chip Hansen set a conservative budget, anticipating fewer kindergartners to enroll. Hansen was surprised when the elementary school saw a boost of 25 additional kindergartners. The district hired a kindergarten teacher to handle the influx.

Hansen said the district is pleased, but the overall count included a loss of about 28 students. However the count was higher than what the district budgeted for.

"We ended up turning a negative into a positive," Hansen said.

The Pellston School district saw an increase in enrollment - seven more students enrolled in 2007.

"It appears we were able to hold our own," Tebbe said. "We expected a decrease. It was a nice surprise."